CVE-2023-1116 in pimcore
Summary
by MITRE • 03/01/2023
Cross-site Scripting (XSS) - Stored in GitHub repository pimcore/pimcore prior to 10.5.18.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/30/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-1116 represents a stored cross-site scripting flaw within the pimcore content management platform, specifically affecting versions prior to 10.5.18. This issue resides in the repository management functionality where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being stored and subsequently rendered in web pages. The vulnerability allows authenticated attackers with appropriate privileges to inject malicious scripts that persist in the system and execute against other users who view the affected content. This stored XSS vulnerability operates through the injection of malicious code into repository metadata or content fields that are later displayed without proper output encoding.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within pimcore's repository handling components. When administrators or authorized users interact with repository objects, the system fails to properly escape or filter special characters in user-provided data before storing it in the database. The malicious scripts are then executed in the context of other users' browsers when they access pages containing the compromised repository entries, creating a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple sessions. This flaw falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of victims, or redirect users to malicious websites. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges within the pimcore environment, access sensitive content, or manipulate repository data to create backdoors for persistent access. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious payloads remain active even after the initial injection, making it particularly dangerous for long-term compromise of the system. Organizations using pimcore versions before 10.5.18 face significant risk of unauthorized access and data compromise through this vector.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-1116 require immediate patching to version 10.5.18 or later where the XSS vulnerabilities have been addressed through proper input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers including API endpoints, database storage, and user interface components to prevent malicious data injection. Regular security audits of repository configurations and user permissions should be conducted to minimize the attack surface, while implementing content security policies to restrict script execution within the application environment. Additionally, monitoring for suspicious repository modifications and user activities can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The fix implemented by pimcore addresses the core issue through enhanced sanitization routines that properly encode user input before storage and rendering, aligning with industry best practices for XSS prevention as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines.